!

It was well past midnight when Ian finally pulled into the driveway. The garage was empty and Angelove’s car, usually parked in its precise spot, was gone. He let himself in through the side door, the faint scent of her perfume still lingering in the air. In the living room, Tammy was sprawled across the couch, one arm propped up on the end table, lost in a daydream. When she heard the click of the door shutting, she blinked, then smiled brightly at him before standing up to hug him. “Hey, you,” he said, hands settling at her waist for a second before letting go, “where's Angie?”

“She went ahead to Spell since we weren't sure how long it was going to take you to get home,” she said. “Oh, you're not working tonight?”

“I am, but I'm not on for another two hours, so I told her to go on so she wouldn't be late.”

“Thanks for staying; I got held up at Mrs. Taulbee's and it threw the rest of my schedule off.” “It's fine. Tally's asleep anyways,” she said, gathering her things. Ian watched her for a second, then gave her a half-smile that always charmed her. “You got time for me to eat your pussy before you leave?” She exhaled through her nose, amused and a little regretful. “I really wish I did, but I’ve got Cragmiker tonight. And you know how he gets if anyone else makes me cum on one of his nights, he throws a tantrum.” “Then tell him to figure out where your clit is if he wants exclusive rights,” Ian said. Tammy snorted. “Believe me, I’ve tried. Later, Ian.”

“Later.” After Tammy left, Ian headed upstairs to check on Natalia. He settled onto the floor beside her bed, gazing at his daughter as she slept, her peaceful expression a picture of serenity, completely carefree and oblivious to the world around her.

There weren't many things Ian could say he'd done right in his life, but Tally was certainly one of them. He never thought he'd be a father, but now, he couldn't think of his life before her.

Growing up, Ian had struggled with the revelation that Mickey Rice was his biological father, a truth that didn't surface until his early twenties, leaving him grappling with the complexities of a relationship that never was. And although he didn't see Greg as a father figure either, he at least acknowledged that his stepdad was there for him when he didn't have to be. His Uncle Nate had been the one true father figure in his life, but with Nate away overseas, Ian felt lost. He was stuck and needed guidance, but couldn't bring himself to admit it to anyone.